Shannon Noll grew up on the land, working alongside his father and older brothers on their family farm in Condobolin in NSW’s Central West.

And Noll, who rose to fame after finishing runner-up in Australian Idol, said he wouldn’t change country life for anything in the world - with some of his fondest memories coming from a time he'd play with sheep and growing calves or ride on machinery with his dad as they tended to their grain fields.

But, after his father died in a farming accident, and a drought ravaged the crops, a place that once filled him with joy left the singer with a jarring feeling of hopelessness that haunted him for as long as the rain failed to fall.

Shannon Noll has reflected on his time as a kid growing up a farm in Condobolin in central west New South Wales. (Supplied)

“We failed two years in a row and it’s just crippling to see your crops dying,” Noll told 9NEWS.

“We were in so much debt but also not being able to feed your stock is one of the most heart-wrenching things in the world,” he added.

Under financial pressure, Noll and his brothers made the agonising decision to sell their farm and end the legacy his family toiled for almost a century to build.

Noll said he was devastated when he had to sell his drought ravaged family farm. (Supplied)

“To walk off that property that my grandfather’s father bought was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. We felt like we let everyone down, let dad’s memory down.”

“But those two years were the first of a ten-year drought, we just never would have made it through.”

That heartache has given Noll a painful insight into the suffering farmers across New South Wales and Queensland are currently enduring.

The whole of NSW is in drought and Queensland is facing the most dire conditions seen in over 70 years.

Green fields that once supported grazing livestock have turned to barren dust bowls, and farmers are being forced to buy food to sustain the animals. It’s either that, watch them die, sell or kill them.

Noll rose to fame after coming second on the talent program Australian Idol. (AAP)

“I was talking to a merino breeder in Condo recently and after this shearing they have to made a decision about how many of their flock they’ll have to sell to keep the rest alive,” Noll said.

“There’s no water in the dam and not a blade of grass in sight. I don’t think some people realise it’s not just about their farmers’ livelihoods; it’s about their history and their heritage.

“Some of these families have been working on bloodlines for 30 or 40 years. You wouldn’t believe how hard that is.”

A HELPING HAND

Noll will be travelling to Dubbo on Monday where the TODAY Show will broadcast a special Farm Aid Telethon and said he is “proud as punch” to be involved with an event that is recognising the resilience of our Aussie farmers in the face of overwhelming hardship.

Former X-Factor contestant Jason Owen – who grew up in a central west town of only 12 people – will also be in Dubbo to help raise money for the stricken farming community.

“I’ve honestly never see it this dry in my life and it is so hard to go home and see friends and family struggling,” he told 9NEWS.

Jason Owen has generously pledged the profits from two recent shows to Burrumbuttock Hay Runners. (Facebook)

“The weather is something completely out of our control but we certainly can still try to make a difference in the lives of these people.”

Owen acknowledged the drought has also taken a toll on the mental health of those fighting to keep their heads above water and wants to share one poignant message: Australia cares.

“People do care and please don’t ever think there is no one out there for you. No matter how hard the times, people want to listen and are there.”

The country singer already pledged to donate all the profits from two recent shows and new song to the Burrumbuttock Hay Runners – a charity that runs donated bales of hay to farmers unable to feed their livestock.

“If the stock isn’t getting fed they are dying and then farmers are faced with the horrible decision of putting them down.

“I wouldn’t wish that suffering on anyone.”

'UNSUNG HEROES'

Tears of joy were shed on Friday as 2800 bales of hay were ferried from Western Australia to Noll’s hometown of Condobolin.

Noll said he was completely blown away by the generosity of strangers who took time away from their own farms and lives to sustain the Condobolin locals, even if the 1000 tonnes is only enough for two weeks.

“These are the unsung heroes – it’s so selfless what they are doing and it makes me so proud to be Australian,” Noll said.

“These are people coming from WA and Tasmania, some who have only just got through some of the worst bushfires they’ve seen to jump straight into taking time off their own farms to lend their support.”

He said it is vital the plight of struggling farmers has been pushed to the forefront of the Australian psyche, with social media now helping to bridge the country/city divide.

“It’s so important for people to understand what is like to be completely dictated to by the weather, when everything you work for is on the line and it’s out of your control,” Noll said.

“My dad used to say farmers are the biggest gamblers in the world because they are gambling it all on the weather.”